Beta’s Delight: Dixon Pack Book 2
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“I think I can handle that.” Simone answered.
“Than let’s get you home.” Bane took her by the hand and led her toward the truck. She watched as Ben stood in front of Monica, safely concealing her while she changed her clothes. When she finished, Monica glanced back at him before she ran over and got into the back of the SUV with the pack. She still wasn’t ready, and Ben looked okay with it.
“Holy shit, he’s big.” Simone chuckled as the wolves all focused on Ben’s naked body.
“Thanks for pointing that out, Simone,” was echoed through out the vehicle as they passed Ben getting into another SUV. She laughed, along with Monica. It was the first time they had heard her laugh. The pack was beaming, staring at her in awe.
Whispering in his ear, Simone said, “Don’t worry I like yours just the way it is.”
“You better, because it’s yours.” Bane licked the side of her neck as she closed her eyes.
As traumatic as this was, Monica had changed and fought back, and this time had come out stronger. Simone herself also shifted, and found strength that she never knew she had. It wasn’t the just fact that she was physically more powerful now, she had changed, finding the courage to heal and love again. She curled up against her mate, knowing now what love and family truly was.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A few days had passed since the incident with Terry, and nobody even mentioned it. She thought it was strange, but hey, if they didn’t want to talk about it, then she wouldn’t.
However, the incident where she was hit on the road was a hot topic of debate. Simone noticed that every time it was brought up, Renee, one of Alice’s cronies, cringed. She would get up and leave whenever the mystery was brought up on who it could have been.
Alice and the others kept a low profile, but she knew the bitch was up to something and Simone planned to find out what. She wasn’t going to look over her shoulder in fear every time she was alone. She knew that Alice and the other girls picked on Renee, and she was going to use that to her advantage.
All she needed to do was find Renee by herself, and pry it out of her. “Hey what’s on your mind?” Quinn asked.
“I have an idea, and I was wondering if you would help me out with it.”
“Of course.” Quinn answered intrigued.
Taking her into Bane’s bedroom, Simone laid out her plan for catching the wolves with no honor.
The next day, Simone smiled at the chocolate covered brownies she had made. They tasted divine when she and Monica took a couple to test. A text alerted her that the cargo was coming in the back door. She continued to cover different types of fruit with her chocolate honey creation, when Quinn walked in with a nervous Renee behind her.
They had already worked it out that Quinn would ask Renee to help her out at the store. The girl wasn’t stupid enough to turn down the Alpha’s mate. Besides, Quinn was an Alpha herself, and could intimidate those that she needed to.
“How’re you doing, Renee?” Simone asked as she continued to cover the fruit.
“I’m fine, thanks.” Even Monica glanced up at Renee. She could hear the fear and regret in her voice.
Simone never turned around as she spoke in a calm voice, “Renee, I know it wasn’t your idea. Trust me when I say that Alice has been gunning for me ever since I arrived and found out that Bane was interested in me. The way I see it, you have two options. The first one is to continue being Alice’s lapdog that she can bully around and belittle in front of everyone; or option two and that’s to tell me the truth and let me help you out.
“Either way,” Simone turned around, glaring at the shaking Renee, “you can go down with her, or be the person I know you want to be, and free yourself from her. Just a little hint, I plan on ripping that bitch and all the others in to little shreds. If you choose option number one, know this: I will come after you just as hard as Alice. I have no room for traitors in my pack, or my life. So choose.” With that, Simone turned around, and resumed dropping fruit into the chocolate.
“Is that new?” Quinn moved closer and Simone handed her a chocolate covered strawberry. Then she turned around and handed one to Renee, who had tears running down her face.
Simone didn’t say anything, she just stared at her as Renee held the chocolate covered strawberry.
“I didn’t go with them, but it was Alice and the girls,” the woman said finally, “I watched them shift out back and track you. They bragged about it when they got back. Millie said that Alice sucker punched you while your back was turned and knocked you clear across the road. They thought they heard someone, or they would have done more. I was going to tell the Alpha, but Alice did this to me. Said if I talked about this to anyone, she would finish the job.”
Renee pulled up her shirt and turned around. An ugly scar was cut down her back. “They held me down so Alice could cut me with the knife, then she poured salt in it so it wouldn’t heal.”
Monica gasped as they all stared at the scar. It had to have been painful, even before the salt. “Oh Renee, why didn’t you tell anyone?” Quinn asked, concerned.
“I wanted to Alpha, but I know how crazy Alice is. She has no conscience and plans to do something else to Simone.” Renee added.
“That bitch is crazy.” Quinn offered.
“The other girls are just as scared of her, but they are more scared of what she will do to them if she doesn’t get what she wants.”
“Well then, let’s see if we can get her to do something we want.” Simone said with an evil grin. “It’s time to take out the trash, my Alpha.”
* * *
The Alpha had called a mandatory meeting outside. After the meeting, they would all run together under the full moon. It was the first pack run that included Simone.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. It’s been far too long since we last ran as a pack. Before we do, we have some unfinished business to attend to.
“First I want to welcome our newest member to the pack, Simone Alexander. And as you all know, she is Bane’s mate and will take on his rank as Beta female in the pack. She is also the owner of the bakery in town, and has brought a host of new desserts for us to try after the run. Welcome to the pack, Simone.”
Simone smiled, nodding to Arden and the rest of the pack. The wolves answered in kind, welcoming her as one of their own. The only ones not smiling were Alice and her little crew. Renee was standing across from them, watching warily.
“With that being said, does anyone have anything to say?” Arden asked looking around.
“I do.” Simone spoke up. Everyone, including her mate, looked over at her in surprise. “I challenge Alice Samuels for attacking me when I was human.”
Bane pulled her closer, “What are you doing?”
“What needs to be done, Bane? Renee told Quinn and me everything. She did it.”
“What is your, proof Simone?” Arden demanded.
Renee stepped forward. “I’m sorry, Alpha. When you asked me before, I lied because I was scared of what she would do to me if I did. This is what Alice does to people who are snitches.” Renee jerked the back of her shirt up, showing the crowd what Alice and the others did to her. The pack started shouting at Alice and her clique as they moved away from her.
“You bitch.” Alice tried to get to Renee, but Arden stepped in her way.
“Did you do that to Renee?” he asked.
Alice looked down, not meeting the Alpha’s glare. “Answer me, now.” His angry voice, even though it wasn’t directed at her, made Simone bow down. All of the wolves joined suit, as the Alpha demanded an answer.
“Yesss.” Alice hissed, not being able to control her answer. The vibes Arden was dishing out hurt as he directed his anger toward her, making her answer for her crimes.
“Did you chase after Simone and hit her, leaving her for dead on the side of the road?” This time the Alpha’s powerful snarl rushed out through the pack bond the two shared, hitting Alice square in the face, making her drop to the ground
in pain. “Did you Alice?”
“Yesss.” Her voice was tormented as she was forced to answer truthfully. Arden jerked her up from the ground, shoving her towards Tate and Finn. “Take her and her accomplices to the prison.” The other girls were all crying as they passed by their families who turned their backs on them.
“There is no honor in what they did to you, Renee. I’m sorry that they hurt you, but I’m proud of you for stepping up and telling the truth. That takes courage. Thank you.” Arden insisted.
Renee nodded and bowed to Arden.
Turning toward her, Arden asked, “What should her punishment be, Simone?”
“Jail.” Simone answered deadpan. “I can’t speak for Renee, but they held her down and put salt in her wound just so she wouldn’t talk. Renee can tell you what she thinks.”
“Jail and banishment from the pack.” Renee answered.
“Then let it be done.” Arden answered, bowing his head. Simone felt as if a string had popped free from inside her body. It was the strangest feeling, and she didn’t know how to describe it or what it meant.
“She has been banished. He broke her thread to the pack. She will never feel connected to us again.” Bane explained.
“Now my wolves, let’s run.” Arden shouted out.
Bane pulled her over to the side. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She could see the hurt in his eyes, and it just about killed her.
“I wanted to handle this for myself. For once, I needed to be the one to bring her down. After we talked to Renee, she confirmed everything to Quinn and me. But as the Beta female, I needed to do this. I waited until this moment to show the pack what she had done.”
“I understand, but Simone, don’t hide things like that from me. I won’t lose you to someone like her.” Pulling her to him, Bane held her tightly. She could feel his unease through the bond.
“Let’s go run.” Simone pulled away with a smile. “I love you Bane Cross, and if you love me too, then catch me…if you can.”
Bane watched as his mate shifted, leaving her clothes behind. Quinn’s wolf ran up to her, playing as they jumped over each other.
“I’ll call the Council and let them know what we have. Lennox said he’ll be back in a few days. He can take custody of them and take them in for us.” Arden offered.
“Good, I want that bitch gone.” Bane snapped. The thought of Alice being right under their noses all this time had him seething. “Poor Renee.”
“I know. The poor kid has been through enough.”
“Let’s run and heal the pack.” Arden stripped his clothes off and shifted. Bane thought about the words Arden used. He watched the wolves of the Dixon Pack. Everyone looked happy. Smiling, he whispered, “As one, we heal and we run.”
* * *
The End
Coming Soon
Choices
Alpha City, Book #3
Also by Bryce Evans
The Ashland Pack
The Trinity
Big Bad Alpha
* * *
The Love of a Shifter
Once Forgotten: Twice Loved
Healing Their Mate
Destiny of Three
Destiny of Blood
* * *
Alpha City
Obsessions
Cravings
* * *
Royal Guard
Guarded Hearts
* * *
Dixon Pack
Bewitched by the Alpha
Beta’s Delight
* * *
Keep up with all of Bryce Evan’s new releases via her website:
http://www.bryceevans.webs.com
About the Author
Bryce Evans is a mother, wife, and author who loves to escape to the world she has built in the Ashland Pack and other stories. She burst onto the publishing scene with a hit in The Trinity. As an active police officer, Bryce needed another outlet from the pains of others. Writing filled that void.
She loves talking to people who have the same tastes as she does and enjoys storytelling about vampires, werewolves, witches, and fairies.
She loves to read books and write about places that come together in her head. She tries to write about what she knows and usually you will find some aspect of law enforcement in her writing.
Travel with her to a world filled with vampires, werewolves, witches, and fairies were the paranormal run wild and romance blooms.
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